Mining system

ABSTRACT

A mining system to convey mined materials (eg., coal) from a mining machine ( 10 ) to a remote location has a crushing unit ( 20 ) receiving the mined material from the mining machine ( 10 ) via a surge bin ( 21 ). The material is crushed and sized and mixed with water to form a slurry in a pumping unit ( 30 ). Slurry pipes ( 41 - 43 ) interconnect pumps ( 31 - 33 ) on the de-watering unit ( 50 ) to convey the slurry to the de-watering unit ( 50 ) from which it can be conveyed by fixed conveyors ( 60 ) to the remote location. The slurry pipes ( 41 - 43 ), and return water pipe(s) ( 51 ), have intermediate portions ( 41   a - 43   a ) suspended from a monorail ( 106 ) and/or mounted on a sled ( 206 ), and flexible end portions ( 41 - 43   a,    41   c - 43   c ) to allow advance off the mining machine ( 20 ) along gateroads ( 101 ) and/or crossroads ( 103 ) in the mine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] THIS INVENTION relates to a mining system.

[0003] In particular, the invention relates to a method of, andapparatus for, conveying mined material(s) from a mining machine to aremote location, eg., for processing.

[0004] More particularly, the invention relates, but is not limited to,a method of and apparatus for the continuous transfer of coal from themining face during development of roadways underground, includinglongwall gateroads.

[0005] Throughout the specification, including the claims, the term“pipe(s)” shall include pipe(s), pipeline(s), conduit(s), hose(s) andthe like.

[0006] 2. Prior Art

[0007] Conventionally, gateroads and cross-roads (or cut-thru's) are cutin a coal seam to enable a longwall mining machine to mine the coal inthe seam.

[0008] A small mining machine cuts a tunnel (or gateroad) through theseam and the coal is transferred to a remote location, eg., a maintunnel or road via shuttle cars, eg., operating in pairs.

[0009] There is danger to the miners in the gateroads as they are liableto be run down by the shuttle cars in the gateroads. The shuttle carsquickly cut up the floors of the gate roads and the damaged floors incurhigh maintenance loads on the shuttle cars.

[0010] As an alternative to the shuttle cars, modular conveyors (eg., asdisclosed in AU-A-10873/92 (MECO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD)) have been proposedto transfer the coal.

[0011] While the conveyors are safer to the workers, and result in lessdamage to the gateroad floors, production must be halted each time aconveyor module must be added to allow for the advance of the miningmachine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method forthe transfer of mined material, eg., coal, from a mining machine to aremote location which can allow for advance of the mining machine.

[0013] It is a preferred object to provide a method which can allow suchan advance with minimal reduction in the transfer rate.

[0014] It is a further preferred object to provide a method where theadvance of the machine can be over a considerable distance.

[0015] It is a still further preferred object to provide a method whichcan use, or incorporate, existing equipment.

[0016] Other preferred objects will become apparent from the followingdescription.

[0017] In one aspect, the present invention resides in a method fortransferring mined material(s) (eg., coal) from a mining face to aremote location, including the steps of:

[0018] a) crushing and/or sizing the mined material;

[0019] b) mixing the crushed/sized material with water to form a slurry;

[0020] c) pumping the slurry to the remote location through one or moreflexible slurry pipes; and

[0021] d) de-watering the slurry to recover the mined material.

[0022] Preferably, the method further includes the step:

[0023] e) returning the water for mixing with further mined material forstep (b).

[0024] In a second aspect, the present invention resides in apparatus toeffect the method.

[0025] The mined material (eg., coal and rock) is preferably crushedand/or sized in a crushing unit which has a surge hopper or bin toreceive the mined material from a mining machine.

[0026] Preferably, the surge hopper or bin is dimensioned to receive 30seconds to several (eg., 5) minutes' output from the mining machine.

[0027] Preferably, the sized material is mixed and pumped by a pumpingunit having at least one, but preferably two or more, pumps, the pumpsbeing connected to (preferably) respective slurry pipes operable toconvey the slurry to a de-watering unit at a remote location.

[0028] The crushing unit and the pump unit may be separate machines, orbe mounted on a single (preferably articulated) frame.

[0029] Preferably, the de-watering unit has one, or more, return waterpipes connected to the pumping unit.

[0030] Preferably, each slurry pipe and each return water pipe has atleast one flexible portion connected to the pump and/or the de-wateringunit to allow for advance of the pumping unit (with the advance of themining machine) relative to the de-watering unit.

[0031] Preferably, the flexible portions include one or more coils, isand/or concertina-like sections, supportable from the roof, walls and/orfloor of the mine, eg., by a monorail or sled(s).

[0032] The pipes may further include one or more rigid portions, whichmay be suspended from the roof and/or walls of the mine.

[0033] Additional flexible portions may be interposed in the pipes toaccommodate further advance of the pumping unit (and mining machine)along the gateroads and/or around corners into crossroads (orcut-thru's).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] To enable the invention to be fully understood, a preferredembodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

[0035]FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a longwall coalmine incorporating the present invention;

[0036]FIG. 2 is detail B on FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale;

[0037]FIG. 3 is a sectional side view taken on line A on FIG. 1 on anenlarged scale; and

[0038]FIG. 4 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] The coal mine 100 has gateroads 101 to enable the coal 102 to bemined, eg., by longwall mining methods.

[0040] The machinery of the present invention must be designed to becapable of negotiating the junctions between the gateroads 101 and crossroads 103.

[0041] As shown on an enlarged scale in FIGS. 3 and 4, coal 102 is minedfrom the mining face 104 by a mining machine 10 to enable the gateroad101 (or cross road 103) to be developed.

[0042] The coal 102 is transferred to the rear of the mining machine 10,eg., via an armoured chain 11 along the centre of the mining machine 10.

[0043] The coal 102 is discharged into a surge bin 21 at the front of acrushing unit 20. The capacity of the surge bin 21 is selected so thatthe flow of the coal from the crushing unit 20 can be interrupted for,30 seconds to a few (eg., 5) minutes, without interruption to theoperation of the mining machine 10.

[0044] The coal 102 is crushed and sized in the crushing unit 20 and istransferred to a pumping unit 30, where it is mixed with the water toform a slurry. (The water is returned to the pumping unit 30 via areturn pipeline from a de-watering unit, to be hereinafter described.)

[0045] On the pumping unit 30, three slurry pumps 31-33 are respectivelyconnected to slurry pipes 41-43 of the pipe system 40, to be describedin more detail.

[0046] The crushing unit 20 and pumping unit 30 may be provided asseparate machines, or on a single articulated chassis or frame—see FIG.2.

[0047] Each slurry pipe 41-43 is connected, at its downstream end, to ade-watering unit 50, where the coal 102 is de-watered (i.e., separatedfrom the slurry) and directed to a conveyor 60 which carries the coalout of the mine, eg., via a series of other conveyors. At least onereturn water pipe 51 returns the water from the de-watering unit 50 tothe pumping unit 30.

[0048] The pipe system 40 has the three slurry pipes 41-43 whereintermediate portions 41 b-43 b comprise, eg., 150 mm diameter pipessuspended from the roof 105 of the gateroad 101. (The pipes may besuspended from the walls and/or supported from the floor, eg., by sleds206.) At the downstream end, the slurry pipes 41-43 have flexible endportions 41 c-43 c connected to the de-watering unit 50. Each slurrypipe 41-43 has a flexible end portion 41 a-43 a connected to arespective pump 31-33, where the flexible portions 41 a-43 a are coiledand suspended from a monorail 106 on the roof 105 (or supported by sleds206 on the floor) of the gateroad 101. It will be readily apparent tothe skilled addressee that as the mining machine 10, crushing unit 20and pumping unit 30 advance, the flexible end portions 41 a-43 a arede-coiled and supported at spaced intervals by the monorail 106.

[0049] The return water pipe(s) 51 can also have intermediate portions(or rigid/coiled pipes) supported on the monorail(s) 106/sled(s) 206with flexible end portions connected to the pumps 31-33 and de-wateringunit 50 in the manner of the slurry pipes 41-43.

[0050] When the flexible portions 41 a-43 a are nearly fully decoiled, afurther monorail 106 is fixed to the roof 105 between the existingmonorail 106 and the machine/units 10/20/30, the new monorail 106supporting additional lengths of flexible pipe. Alternatively, theadditional lengths are supported by further sleds 206.

[0051] One of the pumps, eg., 31, may be stopped, and slurry pipe 41disconnected therefrom to allow one of the new flexible pipes to beinterconnected to the pump 31 and flexible end portion 41 a of slurrypipe 41.

[0052] Pump 31 can be restarted, and the procedure repeated successivelywith pumps 32 and 33. This means that only one-third of the transfercapacity between the mining machine 10 and the conveyor 60 is lost atany time. This is in contrast with existing transfer methods whereproduction is halted when additional conveyor modules are supplied toallow for the advance of the mining machine 20.

[0053] Even if a pump 31-33 fails, production, albeit at a reduced rate,can be maintained.

[0054] It will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee that thenumber/capacity of the pumps 31-33/slurry pipes 41-43 return waterpipe(s) 51, can be varied to suit the particular mine requirements.

[0055] In certain applications, it may be preferable that the fulllength of the pipelines 41-43 is of flexible material.

[0056] Advantages of the invention include:

[0057] the process described can be totally continuous, providing nointerruptions to the miner cutting coal at the face;

[0058] the process allows maximum access to the face—the machinery canoperate close to one wall of the roadway, thus allowing supplies andother equipment to access the road and the miner at the face;

[0059] maximum access allows other mining processes to take placesimultaneously whereas they would normally have to wait until theshuttle cars are stopped;

[0060] safety (eg., for roof bolting, ventilation,installation/modifications) is greatly enhanced, as there are no shuttlecars wheeling along roads, thus:

[0061] less exposure to gas initiation via cable damage;

[0062] less chance of driver injury from shuttle cars wheeling on roughroads;

[0063] much less road damage, and full access to maintain roads, so lesschance of damage to vehicles and passengers and pedestrian traffic;

[0064] no sudden cable movement to cause injury.

[0065] multiple pumps provide continuous operation—pumps can bemaintained or interchanged during production;

[0066] very reliable crushing unit, with possibility for backup motorand rotor.

[0067] ability to carry supplies and spares on the machinery, for easyaccess;

[0068] low maintenance costs, due to simplicity of operation andconstruction;

[0069] simplicity of construction and use of existing componentsprovides for simple maintenance;

[0070] flexibility to adapt system to a variety of requirements, whichcreates many options for mining operators—this creates a positive effectfor mine planning and logistics;

[0071] capacity can be increased by additional or larger pump units;

[0072] distance for material transfer can vary from hundreds of metres,to thousands of metres, depending upon requirements;

[0073] articulated frame between the crushing unit 20 and pumping unit30 provides mobility;

[0074] ability to pump slurry from the face means pumps can be used toclean muck from the roads at the face and create a cleaner and saferwork environment;

[0075] the present invention can be used in conjunction with existingmining equipment;

[0076] the present invention can be used in main headings development aswell as gateroad development;

[0077] the present invention can be used for bolting equipment and forcut and flit arrangements;

[0078] continuous conveyor panel extension operations;

[0079] first aid and smoke room can be close by; and

[0080] other additional equipment can be added to the framework, eg.,bolting equipment, carrying of supplies, ventilation apparatus, floorcleaning/pumping apparatus, etc., and operator F.O.D.S.

[0081] Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodimentsdescribed and illustrated without departing from the present invention.

1. A method for transferring mined material(s) from a mining face to aremote location, including the steps of: a) crushing and/or sizing themined material; b) mixing the crushed/sized material with water to forma slurry; c) pumping the slurry to the remote location through aplurality of flexible slurry pipes; and d) de-watering the slurry torecover the mined material; and e) returning the water for mixing withfurther mined material for step (b); wherein: in step (b), thecrushed/sized material is mixed and pumped by a pumping unit having atleast one pump, the pump(s) being connected to at least one slurry pipeoperable to convey the slurry to a de-watering unit at the remotelocation; to effect step (e), a de-watering unit has one, or more,return water pipe(s) connected to the pumping unit where thecrushed/sized material is mixed with the water to form the slurry ofstep (b); and each slurry pipe and/or return water pipe has at least oneflexible portion connected to the pumping unit and/or the de-wateringunit to allow for advance of the pumping unit (with the advance of themining machine) relative to the de-watering unit.
 2. A method as claimedin claim 1 wherein: the mined material is crushed and/or sized in acrushing unit having a surge hopper or bin to receive the mined materialfrom a mining machine.
 3. A method a claimed in claim 2 wherein: thesurge hopper or bin is dimensioned to receive 30 seconds to 5 minutes'output from the mining machine.
 4. A method as claimed in any one ofclaims 1 to 3 wherein: the flexible portions include one or more coils,and/or concertina-like sections, supportable from a roof and/or walls ofthe mine by monorail(s).
 5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein: theslurry pipe(s) and/or return water pipe(s) further include one or morerigid portions, which are suspended from the roof and/or walls of themine.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein: additional flexibleportions are interposed in the slurry pipe(s) and/or return waterpipe(s) to accommodate further advance of the pumping unit (and miningmachine) along gateroads and/or around corners into crossroads orcut-thru's in the mine.
 7. A method for transferring mined material(s)from a mining face to a remote location, including the steps of: a)crushing and/or sizing the mined material; b) mixing the crushed/sizedmaterial with water to form a slurry; c) pumping the slurry to theremote location through one or more flexible slurry pipes; d)de-watering the slurry to recover the mined material; and e) returningthe water through one or more return water pipes for mixing with furthermined material for step (b); wherein: the flexible portions includingone or more coils, and/or concertina-like sections, supportable from aroof and/or walls of the mine by monorail(s).
 8. A method as claimed inclaim 7 wherein: the slurry pipe(s) and/or return water pipe(s) furtherinclude one or more rigid portions, which are suspended from the roofand/or walls of the mine.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein:additional flexible portions are interposed in the slurry pipe(s) and/orreturn water pipe(s) to accommodate further advance of the pumping unit(and mining machine) along gateroads and/or around corners intocrossroads or cut-thru's in the mine.
 10. A method as claimed in any oneof claims 7 to 9 wherein: in step (b), the crushed/sized material ismixed and pumped by a pumping unit having at least one pump, the pump(s)being connected to at least one slurry pipe operable to convey theslurry to a de-watering unit at the remote location.
 11. A method asclaimed in any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein: to effect step (e), ade-watering unit has one, or more, return water pipe(s) connected to apumping unit where the crushed/sized material is mixed with the water toform the slurry of step (b).
 12. Apparatus for transferring minedmaterials from a mining face to a remote location, including: a crushingunit to receive the mined material from a mining machine at the miningface, and operable to crush and/or size the mined material; a pumpingunit to mix the crushed/sized material with water to form a slurry andhaving at least one pump; a de-watering unit at the remote location tode-water the slurry to recover the mined material; at least one slurrypipe interconnecting the pump(s) on the pumping unit to the de-wateringunit and operable to convey the slurry therebetween; and at least onereturn water pipe interconnecting the de-watering unit to the pumpingunit and operable to return water to the pumping unit for mixing withfurther mined material; each slurry pipe and/or return water pipe has atleast one flexible portion connected to the pumping unit and/or to thede-watering unit to enable advance of the crushing unit and pumpingunit, with the advance of the mining machine, relative to thede-watering unit, the flexible portion(s) includine one or more coils,and/or concertina-like sections, supportable from a roof and/or walls ofthe mine by monorail(s).
 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein:each slurry pipe and/or return water pipe includes one or more rigidportions suspended from the roof and/or walls of the mine.
 14. Apparatusas claimed in claim 13 wherein: additional flexible portions areinterposed in the slurry pipe(s) and/or return water pipe(s) toaccommodate advance of the crushing unit, and the pumping unit, with themining machine, along gateroads and/or around corners into cross-roadsor cut-thru's in the mine.
 15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims12 to 14, wherein: the crushing unit has a surge bin or hopper,dimensioned to receive 30 seconds to 5 minutes' output of the minedmaterial from the mining machine.
 16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15wherein: the mining machine, crushing unit and pumping unit areinterconnected to advance simultaneously.
 17. Apparatus as claimed inany one of claims 12 to 16 wherein: a respective slurry pipeinterconnects each pump to the de-watering unit.
 18. Apparatus fortransferring mined materials from a mining face to a remote location,including: a crushing unit to receive the mined material from a miningmachine at the mining face, and operable to crush and/or size the minedmaterial; a pumping unit to mix the crushed/sized material with water toform a slurry and having at least one pump; a de-watering unit at theremote location to de-water the slurry to recover the mined material; aplurality of slurry pipes interconnecting the pump(s) on the pumpingunit to the de-watering unit and operable to convey the slurrytherebetween, at least one return water pipe interconnecting thede-watering unit to the pumping unit and operable to return water to thepumping unit for mixing with further mined material; and each slurrypipe and/or return water pipe has at least one flexible portionconnected to the pumping unit and/or to the de-watering unit to enableadvance of the crushing unit and pumping unit, with the advance of themining machine, relative to the de-watering unit.
 19. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 18 wherein: the flexible portion(s) include one or morecoils, and/or concertina-like sections, supportable from a roof and/orwalls of the mine by monorail(s).
 20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18or claim 19 wherein: each slurry pipe and/or return water pipe includesone or more rigid portions suspended from the roof and/or walls of themine.
 21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein: additional flexibleportions are interposed in the slurry pipe(s) and/or return waterpipe(s) to accommodate advance of the crushing unit, and the pumpingunit, with the mining machine, along gateroads and/or around cornersinto cross-roads or cut-thru's in the mine.
 22. Apparatus as claimed inany one of claims 18 to 21, wherein: the crushing unit has a surge binor hopper, dimensioned to receive 30 seconds to 50 minutes' output ofthe mined material from the mining machine.
 23. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 22 wherein: the mining machine, crushing unit and pumping unit areinterconnected to advance simultaneously.
 24. Apparatus as claimed inany one of claims 18 to 23 wherein: a respective slurry pipeinterconnects each pump to the de-watering unit.
 25. Apparatus asclaimed in any one of claims 12 to 24 wherein: the crushing unit and thepumping unit are mounted on a single articulated chassis or frame.